With their departure to London just a day away, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels ruled three players out for Sunday’s game against the 49ers and said three more are still a question mark to be on the team’s charted flight Thursday afternoon.

Safety Darcel McBath, linebacker Robert Ayers and linebacker Wesley Woodyard have been ruled out and are not expected to make the trip. The jury is still out on cornerback Perrish Cox (concussion), defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson (groin) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (groin).

Cox, Vickerson and Royal will not practice Wednesday and none of the three participated in Tuesday’s practice. Cox, who was sporting sunglasses Tuesday inside the Broncos Dove Valley complex to shield his eyes, is a big question mark.

“(We’ll) see if it’s worth their time or if their better served staying here and just rehab,” McDaniels said.

The Broncos also dug through the archives Tuesday to begin the process of studying up on 49ers quarterback Troy Smith. Smith, who signed with the 49ers last December, will make his first start for the team Sunday, replacing the injured Alex Smith.

Troy Smith, a former Heisman Trophy winner, hasn’t started a game since 2007, his rookie year in Baltimore. At 6-feet tall Smith is a little undersized, but works well on the move.

Most coaches who have spent time with him say he has quality leadership skills and teammates like to be on the field with him.

“He can also do a lot of things from the pocket, with his arm,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels added it was no accident running back Knowshon Moreno got all of the work in the backfield for the Broncos in Sunday’s 59-14 loss to the Raiders. McDaniels said Moreno will continue to get more carries and more opportunities to be in the lineup on third down as well.

Moreno, who missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury, had been splitting time with Correll Buckhalter and Laurence Maroney with Buckhalter getting most of the work in passing situations.

“We’re going to build on that,” McDaniels said. “(Moreno) is not a two-down player, there’s no question about it. And, I think the more he plays the better he’s going to be.”

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